HAVING had two winning positions wiped out by rain, Pool made short work of beating Ilkley to boost their chances of avoiding relegation from Division One.

They romped to a nine-wicket win, taking just 27 overs to pass Ilkley's score of 146. Billy Whitford led the way with an unbeaten 76.

Ilkley’s innings had foundered when they lost three quick wickets on 127 and only Ben Pengelley (44) looked confident against an attack in which Ollie Boggie (5-28) was the danger man.

Leaders Otley also didn’t hang about easing past North Leeds’ 144 total. Chris Thompson took a season-best 6-39 and Nick Bulcock rounded off the home side’s innings with three wickets in five balls. Jamie Pickering and Ben Morley, who hit 11 fours and six sixes in an unbeaten 91, clinched the win in under an hour.

Beckwithshaw stayed hot on the heels of the leaders, skittling out Collingham for 66, and Horsforth showed they can’t be written off with a seven-wicket win at Rawdon.

Andrew Doidge (47) and David Gilks (21no) put on 64 for the ninth wicket to boost Rawdon to 151 in which Michael Lambert took 5-41. But after losing two wickets at 67, Horsforth were seen home comfortably by Byron Boshoff (77no) and Charlie Swallow (40no).

Burley's batsmen were in good form as they defeated relegation battlers Steeton by 36 runs. Jason Wright smashed six sixes and six fours in his 86, while Ed Brown made 46 in a total of 290-8.

Steeton made a spirited reply of 236-8 with John Akrigg making 95 and captain Stephen Pearson 35no.

With Division Two leaders Colton dismissing fourth-placed Calverley for 96 to stay clear at the top, it was vital that second-placed Guiseley didn’t slip.

They had a tough visit to third-placed Knaresborough but were given a solid start by openers Taylor Cumberland (46) and Tom Brady (44) before a third-wicket stand of 120 between Peter Towner (91no) and Richard Nichols (64) saw them on the way to 257-3.

Nichols (3-46) and Cumberland (4-39) then took the lead as Knaresborough were dismissed for 211.

With Andrew Stothart and Andrew Parratt picking up four wickets each, Addingham needed No 8 Ben Brearley to step up with 31 as they struggled to 132.

Thackley found batting just as hard and were 23-4 after five overs. They were finally out for 105 with bowling honours going to Henry Barrow (3-34), Ricky Palacio (3-40) and Ted Haggas (4-27).

Michael Slater (7-29) was the star of the show as Ben Rhydding inflicted more pain on bottom club Harden while a half century from Sam Moore couldn’t prevent Skipton losing by six wickets at Adel.

Mark McEneaney took his wicket tally to 44 with a season-best 6-45 as Division Three leaders Hall Park dismissed Silsden for 88. He then hit 19no and with Steve Phillips (37no) saw Park home by seven wickets.

It looked for a while as though Tong Park Esholt’s hold on second place might slip when they were dismissed for 136 while third-placed Leeds Modernians were racking up a big score on the way to comfortable win over Bardsey.

But Muhammad Khan’s 4.5 over spell of 4-5 turned the game back Esholt’s way with Olicanian collapsing from 102-4 to 110 all out.

Michael Sanderson (71) and Neil Britton (51) shared a century stand in Green Lane’s 266-8 before Sanderson took four wickets to kerb a surprisingly robust response from Upper Wharfedale, who finished on 222-9.

Nadeem Hanif and Phil Raikes each took four wickets to put out Alwoodley for 152 and Doug Bradley hit an unbeaten 101 as Menston eased home by nine wickets

Bolton Villas are still hovering just above the re-election zone after they went down by 112-runs against New Rover.